Description

No – it’s not THAT loosestrife! Lythrum alatum is in the same genus as the widely invasive and destructive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), but it is native and a great wetland plant.

Winged loosestrife has single, pale purple flowers with a darker purple mid-vein. Stems are four-sided and have slightly raised ridges or “wings” that run parallel to the length of the stems (thus the common name). (Purple loosestrife, in contrast, has densely packed flower clusters and lacks wings on its stems. The leaves of purple loosestrife often have hairs; the leaves of our native loosestrife do not.) Attracts hummingbirds. Special value to native bees.

A versatile and fast grower, winged loosestrife is happy in moist to wetter habitats.

Height: 2-3 ft.
Spread: 2-3 ft.
Family: Lythraceae
Bloom time: mid spring to mid summer
Sun: full sun
Water: medium to wet
Rain garden
According to Rutgers University, Lythrum are “occasionally severely damaged” by deer.

photo credit: Joshua Mayer